What Really Matters: Everyday Spirituality

In this episode I introduce you to my new favorite practice for emotional and spiritual health - nature journaling. I hope you'll consider trying it to with the help of the resources I'll list for you below. This episode includes:The benefits of spending time in natureWhy nature journaling helps us be more present with natureHow to choose one location for a weekly observation practiceWhat to write and sketch in your nature journalA book to read if you're serious about nature journaling: Keeping a Nature Journal by Clare Walker LeslieField Guide to What Really MattersYour Field JournalLatest Substack post: Mother Nature is Waiting For Your VisitSupport this podcast

In this episode I'm taking you along on my journey to the Sonoma Coast where I practiced "grief travel" as I always do when I'm away from home. Grief travel means that I keep my heart and mind open for evidence of grief wherever I go - and I always find it. Every little trek and journey becomes richer and more significant because I am connecting with real life and real grief within each community or location. Here are the highlights I talk about:Doran Beach in Bodega BayDuncan's Landing and Death RockSea Ranch ChapelMendocino Time and the Maiden sculptureEvergreen cemeteryArtist Emmy Lou PackardGet my book Wild and Holy for more grief travel!View the Photo Gallery from Sonoma CoastExplore the Seven Paths of What Really Matters hereLearn about my books hereCheck out End-of-Life University PodcastMake a donation here

In order to grow spiritually forgiveness is one of the most important tasks we need to accomplish. And forgiving ourselves is a necessary step before we can fully forgive others. In a companion Soulcode Post I've written about why self-forgiveness is so hard to do. In this episode I share some practical steps to actually move through letting go of self-blame and guilt. This episode includes:Why self-compassion is needed before we start this workTaking an honest look at our past actions that may have done harmHow to separate guilt from shameThe need to repair what can be repairedAllowing our past mistakes to become our teachersCreating a ritual for self-forgivenessDownload the Handout on Patreon.com/eoluRead my latest ⁠Substack⁠ post on Letting Go of GuiltExplore the Seven Paths of What Really Matters hereLearn about my books hereCheck out End-of-Life University PodcastMake a donation here

This special Father's Day episode is a companion to my latest post on Soulcode: We Need Another Word for Grief. I'm sharing some thoughts about how grief grows and changes over time by telling the story of my niece who died too soon of cancer, and a synchronicity involving roses after she died. This episode includes:How Father's Day is a complicated day for many of us and has arrived with the solstice this yearHow the anniversary of Tracey's death has converged on this day as wellEncountering roses during times of griefMy ritual with flowers for TraceyHow life goes on and we carry our grief, eventually recognizing that everything is connected.Explore the Seven Paths of What Really Matters hereLearn about my books hereCheck out End-of-Life University PodcastRead my latest Substack postMake a donation here

This episode is a companion to two previous EOLU Podcast episodes and a Substack post on Medical Aid in Dying. Here I share the story of a colleague with ALS who wanted to use MAID and my thoughts about grief after a chosen death. This episode includes:Obstacles faced by many who want to use MAIDAmbiguous grief after death by MAIDGrief when the ending feels unfinishedRemembering not to postpone saying goodbyeLearn about my books hereCheck out End-of-Life University PodcastRead my latest Substack postMake a donation here